Crisp Spring Greens with Creamy Tomato Dressing

Ingredients

• 4-6 cups mixed greens, cleaned, dried, and torn
• 4-6 green onions, thinly sliced (include some green part)
• 1-2 medium tomatoes, cored and cut into think wedges or sliced
• 1 avocado, peeled, seed removed, immediately sprinkled with lemon juice juice and cut into think slices (optional)
• blue cheese, Crumbled (optional) or Roquefort cheese, at room temperature (for garnish) (optional)
• crouton, Crisp toasted (for garnish) (optional)

Creamy Tomato Dressing

• 1/2 cup tomato soup, undiluted
• 6 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
• 1 tablespoon tomato base chili sauce or catsup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2-1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon onion, peeled and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 2-3 drops hot pepper sauce, to taste (optional)
• 3/4 cup salad oil (canola, corn safflower, or a combination)
• 35 % fresh cream

Directions

1. 1

   Prepare greens, store in a sealed airtight plastic bag in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Arrange greens in individual salad bowls or on individual salad plates, dividing evenly.

2. 2

   Top each with sliced green onions and tomato wedges or slices.

3. 3

   Garnish each with crumbled blue or Roquefort cheese and/or crisp croutons, if desired.

4. 4

   Pass Creamy Tomato Dressing.

5. 5

   CREAMY TOMATO DRESSING Combine the first 9 to 11 ingredients together in a blender container.

6. 6

   Cover and blend at medium speed for 30 seconds; uncover and with the motor at low speed, gradually add oil, blending until mixture is smooth and completely mixed.

7. 7

   Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and increase motor speed to high; beat for 30 seconds.

8. 8

   Store, tightly sealed, in an airtight glass container or jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

9. 9

   NOTE: May use about 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil and 1/3 to 1/2 cup other salad oil, if desired.

10. 10

    The flavor of 3/4 cup olive oil is too intense for this dressing.

11. 11

    VARIATION: May add 1/2 crumbled blue or Roquefort cheese to prepared dressing, if desired. Or, may add 1/2 cup crumbled cheese to dressing mixture while beating and then stir in 1/2 cup crumbled cheese after preparation, if desired.